[ Backlog – Eight Months Ago ]
Location: Alpha Quadrant
Planet: Rigel IV
NeoDyne Industries – Corporate Headquarters
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"The Gathering Clouds – Part I”
Dark clouds gathered in the distance over one of the largest population centers on the planet Rigel IV. An orange sun was setting on another day as people scurried about their normal routines. A scheduled thunderstorm was announced with the city in need of a soaking rain. Federation meteorologists had altered the planet’s weather modification nets to allow a sizable rainstorm to form within the next one to two hours.
The sun slowly sank behind the horizon its orange glow glinting off the edges of obsidian black skyscraper of the corporate giant, NeoDyne Industries. The monolithic structure stretching upwards into the clouds like a black, glass razor was the tallest structure on the planet and one of the tallest buildings in the entire Alpha Quadrant. Its massive size cast a long shadow over a sizable portion of the city and only on the clearest days could a person gaze upwards and see its towering pinnacle which usually remained obscured, hidden within the clouds. The mega-corporation, a goliath in aerospace, medical, defense, security, and weapon technologies had constructed their Mount Olympus, their shining tower of Babel, on Rigel IV as a symbol of their immense wealth and vast power.
At the top of the towering metal and glass building sat the penthouse living quarters and corporate offices of the company’s top executive and controlling owner. President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, the company and its activities were driven by the desires and will of one man – Alistair R. Merikai.
Despite the late hour, Merikai sat at his ancient wooden desk, a valuable Earth antique crafted in the early 1700’s for a European prince. The desk alone was worth millions of Federation credits – a priceless collector’s item. A museum piece in his massive office; one of many trophies which demonstrated his wealth, Merikai’s office was lined with rare and valuable antiquities from across the galaxy.
The hour late, the president nonetheless scrutinized the slides for an upcoming defense presentation as his terminal flashed indicating an incoming message. With a grimace, the top executive tapped his computer console at the interruption.
“Yes what is it? I left instructions not to be disturbed”, he said not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Sir, Mr. Nakota is here in the lobby. He insists he must speak with you immediately on an urgent matter.
Merikai sighed and saved the presentation for another time. Another boring demonstration of modest technology for Starfleet brass; the contract his company was seeking to mass produce a new line of torpedo systems was only marginally interesting given other company interests. “Very well Ms. Parker. Send him in.”
Merikai stood from his desk adjusting his hand crafted business suit and tie. At six feet three inches tall – Merikai was a dominating man with a strong build, piercing blue eyes, and sandy blond hair which ran well groomed, gracefully down his back. Unconventional and dynamic the company’s son, as he was nicknamed, had filled in where his father had left off rebuilding the damaged company’s reputation, name, and power. Under his leadership, NeoDyne was larger and more profitable than ever before.
The President looked up as the doors to his office opened. A single man, dressed in dark, company issue military style attire, quickly moved toward him his boots echoing loudly on the black marble tile of the floor.
The man stopped at Merikai’s desk and saluted. Colonel Rai Nakota was head of NeoDyne’s vast security forces which protected and oversaw security for the company’s many interests. A loyal and dedicated employee for many years, Merikai knew that if Nakota was here on urgent business something unpleasant had occurred that demanded the President’s attention.
Merikai bowed slightly at his security chief out of reverence and moved slowly to his bar where he took a glass and poured himself a small amount of whiskey.
“What brings you here this night Nakota, especially with a storm on the way”, the President asked as he poured himself the drink.
“I sincerely apologize for interrupting you sir, but I have urgent news”, the chief replied.
“May I offer you something to drink”, Merikai asked.
“No thank you sir.”
The President returned to his desk and sat holding the drink in his hand. “What is this news? You appear quite concerned Rai.”
“Sixty two hours ago, facility 372X, was destroyed when NDP1 was initiated. (N.D.P. – Nuclear Destruction Protocol)
Merikai’s eyes opened widely as he quickly set down his glass his mood shifting from one of relaxed interest to extreme concern tinged with anger.
“Astate!”
“Yes sir.”
“Continue with your report.”
Nakota continued. “Our local operatives report the facility as a total loss. Activation of NDP left little for Starfleet or the Romulans to find from our initial information, however the atomic explosion has drawn the eyes of Starfleet, the Federation, and the Romulans. Currently, several starships and high ranking officials are conducting intensive investigations. Starfleet Medical has also been dispatched to deal with the radioactive fallout.”
“Fallout! That’s exactly what we have here”, Merikai shouted. “If Starfleet finds anything linking us to that site. What the HELL happened? I ordered the facility sealed four months ago. We had plans to reopen the facility next quarter once we could be sure the threat there had been neutralized.”
Merikai stood from his desk his anger growing. “I’m the only company official with the capacity to order the use of NDP protocols! Who made this decision and how did they do it!”
“I suspect our operative Marine Colonel Ventris may know what occurred sir, but we have been unable to contact him upon learning of the Astate incident.”
Merikai grit his teeth touching his computer console. “Ms Parker, have communications open a secure line to Astate and do it now! I want to speak with Colonel Ventris immediately! Have someone find him if he isn’t available, but get that man on the line even if they have to hold him at gun point!”
Closing the line, Merikai rubbed the bridge of his nose. A clap of thunder rattled the windows as the growing storm grew closer to the building in the distance.
This news was most troubling. NDP protocol had never been used in company history and was only equipped at facilities which handled NeoDyne’s most sensitive research activities. It was an end-game failsafe to protect the company at facilities where top secret or special activities were being conducted which could compromise the company if they were exposed to public scrutiny. With Starfleet poking its nose into matters after such a serious incident things could become bleak for NeoDyne should they discover anything linking them to the explosion.
Merikai had some faith, as the NDP protocol – a thermonuclear explosion of incredible power generated by the facilities own specially designed fusion generators, was powerful enough to obliterate his facilities and the surrounding area with a 99.9% destruction and contamination factor, but there was still a slight risk. A risk he had not authorized and one that had to be answered for.
A pet project of his, the Astate facility had cost billions of corporate credits, which had quietly been moved off the books. The research labs on Astate were a continuation of his father’s dreams and aspirations to make NeoDyne a formidable force. Having learned of his father’s ambitions only a few years prior, Merikai had embraced them. His father’s plans were beyond brilliant and if they had succeeded, NeoDyne would be the most powerful and influential entity across four quadrants and he the most powerful man in the Milky Way galaxy. Empires would bow before his company all scrambling to obtain the technology and science secrets he would possess. Neodyne would become the chessboard master with the Federation, the Klingons, the Dominion, the Romulans, the Cardassians and all other species and races as its chessboard pawns to move and play against one another as it saw fit – as he saw fit.
The loss of the Astate facility was an unexpected and sudden blow to his detailed and carefully crafted plans.
“Sir, we’ve managed to make contact with the Colonel. I’m connecting you now.”
Merikai touched his desk where a nearby wall vanished becoming a giant viewing screen. A loyal employee on the NeoDyne payroll, Colonel Leon Ventris of Astate’s 145th Marine Battalion appeared on the screen. Merikai had found the man competent and astute having placed him in over all command of NeoDyne’s Astate operations. The colonel had done a fine job – that is until now.
“Colonel Ventris, what is happening on Astate? I demand a full explanation!”, Merikai shouted his blue eyes blazing with rage. “Why the hell wasn’t I informed of this sooner? My own security chief has to tell me that NDP protocol was initiated without my express authorization! Start talking colonel as my patience on this matter is running extremely thin.”
“Starfleet has been everywhere”, the colonel replied seemingly appearing out of breath. “I didn’t want to risk a transmission given the intense scrutiny. I wanted to inform you, but had to wait until things calmed down.”
“Calmed down? We wouldn’t have to wait for things to calm down if NDP hadn’t been initiated! Who gave the order! I want a name!”
“I initiated the destruct sequence sir”, the colonel replied.
“You! How dare you over step your authority!”
“Wait sir, I can explain! The circumstances warranted the action that I can assure you!”
“What possible circumstances could exist for me to forgive such a blatant act which could endanger the company and its existence Colonel? Answer me that!”
“The facility was compromised by a Starfleet Intelligence operative. He somehow managed to locate the facility and gain access. I’ve been tracking his movements, but he evaded our spies and informants for a time. We didn’t pick him back up until he had landed on the island and entered the facility which tripped our alarms. My men and I went in after him, but discovered he had made contact with several of the experiments that were still alive. He managed to convince them he was there to help and attempted to escape with them. I couldn’t let that happen and given what occurred at the facility three months ago, my men and I were uncertain we could eliminate all of the threats given the circumstances.
You saw the video tapes – only two of the experiments killed over fifty researchers and employees many of them armed. I couldn’t take the chance we might fail. I ordered the facility computer to initiate the NDP destruct protocol – to protect the company and to protect you sir!”
Merikai, still seething with anger, was having trouble accepting the Colonel’s explanation. “Who was this Starfleet intelligence Officer? You said you had been following him?”
“A Captain in Intelligence, his name is..Akina. Captain Zane Akina. I can send you his files.”
“Akina”, Merikai whispered his eyes growing wide. “Zane Akina was on Astate and was in one of my facilities!”
“Well yes sir – why? Do you know this man?”
“Know him! KNOW HIM”, Merikai exploded in a fit of violent rage. “Colonel, that man was the Lt. Commander who implicated NeoDyne in sales of weapons to the Breen a decade ago! He infiltrated our company, gained access to our secrets and then turned state’s evidence! I had to watch him for weeks at my father’s trial sit at the witness stand as he crucified this company and my father with his damning evidence which was nothing but lies and fabricated information!
He nearly ruined this company ten years ago and I blame him, and him alone, for my father’s death! If it hadn’t been for Akina’s meddling, my father would have never traveled to Earth to defend himself in court where his shuttle was damaged in an accidental docking collision with another shuttle! If Zane Akina was on Astate then he obviously is back to his old habits of sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong!”
“I’m sorry sir, I had no idea the man posed such a threat or else I would have had him eliminated sooner.”
Merikai became more incensed every time the Colonel spoke. The mention of Zane Akina sent both fire and fear shooting through him. Merikai feared nothing – except perhaps Akina and that fact alone only served to further fuel his explosive anger.
Taking a deep breath, President Merikai swallowed his emotions. His usually cool demeanor slowly returned until he had buried his anger and hatred for another time and place. He had business to conduct here and decisions to make. Critical decisions which demanded a cool head and calm, rational thought.
Pushing a lock of his long, blond hair back over his ear and shoulder, Merikai glared at the massive viewing screen on his office wall.
“Given the circumstances Colonel, I am most displeased at your lack of communication, however, your actions in the matter appear justified given the stakes. Akina was a serious threat. I’m pleased that his existence no longer threatens NeoDyne’s interests. The loss of the facility and its research is a great loss, but we shall recover. I expect you will do better to inform the home office of your activities in the future Colonel.”
Merikai saw the Colonel shift uncomfortably on the screen.
“Is there something else you need to say Colonel Ventris?”
“Akina wasn’t killed in the blast sir. He managed to escape and was able to get far enough away from the initial blast to avoid the brunt of the shockwave and radiation. My men and I were prepared for the contingency and intercepted him as he attempted to leave the island in a shuttle.”
“Go on”, Merikai said with a chillingly cold tone.
“I was about to eliminate him personally, I had twelve snipers poised to strike, but before I could give the order he was beamed away. My men and I fired, but it was too late.”
“HE ESCAPED!”
“Sir, how could I have anticipated a beam out? There weren’t any starships scheduled to be in Astate orbit for weeks.”
“Did you trace the transmission”, Merikai quickly asked. “Was it a Starfleet starship?”
“Yes. USS Corsair. I couldn’t get any more information on it. It’s mission, personnel, it’s all classified beyond my clearance level. I do know it wasn’t supposed to be there!”
“Of course it wasn’t supposed to be there you idiot”, Merikai replied. “Akina works for Intelligence. The ship must be assigned to the Intelligence Division which is why its information and orders are classified. Colonel, why didn’t you report this immediately?”
“As I said sir, the magnifying glass is large here on Astate, getting a transmission out was difficult given all of the emergency Starfleet communications and I couldn’t risk being detected.”
“You couldn’t risk it? I’ll be the judge of the risk involved especially when a member of Starfleet Intelligence escapes one of our most secret facilities possibly with evidence which could bury us all! I believe we’re finished here Colonel. Out!”
The Colonel’s image faded and Merikai’s wall returned to its former impressive and expensive form as the holoprojectors in the walls terminated their projections.
Merikai paced the floor for several moments his hands clasped tightly behind him as his security chief stood at attention awaiting orders from the President.
Several more moments passed until Merikai suddenly stopped cold and turned his head to look at his security chief. Nakota was slightly startled at the intensity of Merikai’s gaze his blue eyes seemed to glow with an aura all their own in the dark room. Rain and wind slapped against the windows as the thunderstorms rolled in. A crack of lightening briefly illuminated the room with a flash. The sudden brightness blotted out everything for an instant with the exception of Merikai’s burning blue eyes.
The NeoDyne president slowly turned and took a seat at his desk placing both hands on its polished surface. His gaze shifted from his security chief to the far end of the room where his eyes took on a blank stare as if he was thinking about something, but not actually looking at anything.
“I want the Colonel eliminated tonight”, Merikai suddenly said. “See to it personally Nakota. I want no more mistakes. Do it quickly and quietly. The man knows too much and can no longer be trusted to remain silent. I do not need any additional liabilities at the moment given what has occured.”
“Yes sir, I’ll see that it is done”, replied the chief.
“Nakota. Use our contacts – find out everything you can about this starship USS Corsair. I want to know everything about it; it’s officers, its crew, its current assignment, and most importantly its present whereabouts.”
“I will use every resource possible to obtain the information.”
“You’re dismissed”. Merikai said coolly not bothering to look at the man his gaze still distant as if in a daydream.
Nakota saluted and quickly retreated leaving the NeoDyne President alone in his office as the fury of the outside storm battered the windows of his towering building.
[ To Be Continued... ]
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Chairman Alistair Merikai
President, NeoDyne Corporation
Colonel Leon Ventris
Marine Colonel, Astate Colony
Colonel Rai Nakota
Director, NeoDyne Security Operations
(NPCs APB Tav)
